scriuner



No. 6|7,839.. Patented Ian. |7,|s99.

c. E. SCRIBNER.

conugcmu coumme MECHANISM'FOR TELEPHONE LINE,S'.

(pplication filed Mar. 15, 1897.)

' (No Modal) Man w 155015150),

. and exact description, reference being bad to 1o the substations of telephone-lines and attain- I to these ends may be described in general UNITED STATES j ATENT @FFlCE.

(lIARLlt'S E. SFRIBNER', OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR- TO THE \VEH'I E RN ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE. J

CONN'ECTIQN-COUNTING MECHANISM FOR TELEPHONE-LINES SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 617,839, dated January 17,

Auulication filed a c 15, 1897. Serial No. 627,586. (Nomodelh To (all who'lzt it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARIIEs E. Scnusxnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at (hicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Connection-Counting Mechanism for Telephone-Lines, (Case .No. 442,) ofwhich the following is a full, clear, concise,

the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

Thisinvention concerns apparatus designed for counting or registering calls originating at ing response at the correspondentstations.

It has been proposed to associate connection-registe'ring mechanism with a telephone- 'line, together with mechanism making the connection-registering appliance operative only in the case of calls initiated at the station of the same line, the actuation of the registering appliance being controlled in the response to thecall-signal at the called station.

The present invention relates to connectioneounting mechanism of this type, and has in general two objects. One of these objects is to provide means .for determining the operation of the coun ting mechanism in connection with the call-originating line only in coupling lines. The other is to associate the counting mechanism in question with a particula'r'sjstem of switchboard-circuits arranged for the automatic display of signals and for the severance of the normal line connections of the lines in the process of uniting them.

The organization of the present invention terms as follows: Each telephone-line is provided with an answering-jack and a line-jack. Pairs of phi gs are furnished for uniting lines, of which one-member is adapted'. for use in connection with the answering-jack and the other in connection with the line-jack, and the circuits of the connection-counting appliance are so arranged that they are brought into. operative condition through the agency of registering contact-pieces of the answeringplug and answering-jack only, the final actuation of the appliance being determined, however, in the response to the call at the called substation in conformity with the general plan. This arrangementinsures the opera-- tion of the connection-counter ot' the calloriginating line only.

The switchboard organization alluded to, with which the present invention is designed to associate the connection-counting appli-' ance, comprises a line-signal for each line, a cut-off relay for each line adapted-when excited to sever the normal connections ,of the line-signal, a local circuit closed in making connection with theline by, means of a plug in a spring-jack thereof, including'the cut-0E relay, plugs, and a plug-circuit for uniting lines, supervisory lampsignals,-.and' relays in the plug-circuit controlling the supervisory signals.

The present invention aims to combine the connection-registering appliance and the before-described feature thereof with this systom of signals in an operative organization with as little mechanism as possible. To this end a local batter -circuit is provided, which becomes completed through the'cut-ofl relay of the called line through the agency of reg- 7 5 istering contact-pieces of the connecting-pin g and the line-sprin'g-jackof that line. A poition of this local circuit is divided into two parallel branches,of which one includes the supervisory signal-lampof the calling-plug, So while the other is made up of a portion permanently associatedwith the answering-jack and including a winding of the magnet con-I trolling the counting mechanism, together} with a conductor terminating in the answer ing-plug,-these portions being brought into connection in inserting the answering-plug into .the answering-jack, this latter branch being closed by the relay controlling thesu- 'pervisory signal and responsive to current in 0 the called line determined in the removal of the telephone at the called station for use. The invention further provides means for exciting the cut-off relay of the calling line, consisting in auxiliary switch-contacts in the 9 5 answering-jack controlling a local circuit, including the-magnet of the relay, which becomes .closed together upon the insertion of an answering-plug in the spring-jack.

The invention also provides means for pre-, [00

'- of a cut-oif relay 0.

venting the'actuation of the counting mechanism more than once during a connection, in a. local circuit completed through the agency of the counter-actuating magnet, maintaining the subsequent excitement of the magnet during the connection.

The invention is illustrated in the attached drawing, with reference to which its several telephone a and a, signal-bell a and switch a for changing the circuits during .the use of the telephone. This apparatus should be arranged to alter the resistance or circuit connections of' the line to produce or to changethe strength of current in the line during the use of the telephone. A condenser a may be interposed in the circuit of the bell, so that the line-circuit becomes closed through the telephone only during its use. The line-conductors l and 2 are led from the substation to the central office, where they are contin ued to earth and to the pole of a battery b, respectively. Inboth these conductors are interposed thenorinally closed switch-contacts Conductor 2 includes the magnet of a signal-controlling relay d, designed to showthe subscribers call. Branches from the line-conductors are led to suitable contact-pieces in line spring-jacks e and e,

which may be in diiferent sections of a multiple switchboard, and to an answering-jack e at one section of the switchboard. These spring-jacks comprise the-usual three contactpieces, two springs f and f, which'are designed to serve as the terminals of the line in the spring-jack, and a thimble or ring f. The

springs f of the diiferent spring-jacks form.

open branch terminals to conductor 1, .while springs f constitute similar terminals of con ductor- 2. The rings 1' of line spring-jacks e and e are united by a wire 3, which is led to earth through the winding of the magnet of cut-0d relay 0. This relay should have a moderately low resistance, twenty ohms being sufii cient. The answering-jack e is furnished with an additional pair of contactpieces f f, constructed to be closed together whena plug is inserted in the spring-jack, the former of which is connected with wire 3,while L the latter forms a normally open terminal of awire 4, leading to a poleof the grounded battery g. The line-relayd controls a local circuit made up of'two wires 5 and-6, the

former of which leads to earth,while'the latter leads to battery g and includes the secondary lamp-signal h, which is associated with the answering-jack e in the switchboard.

The usual connecting-pl ugs z' and z" are furnished for the use of the operator in coupling lines. Each plug contains three contact-pieces 7t, 7t, and the former two of which are constructed to register with the line-springs f and f of a spring-jack and the latter with the thilnble f". The tips 7t of the two plugs are united through a conductor 7 while the sleeves 7c are united by conductor 8, these I, conductors 7 and constituting the plug-circuit. Two wires 9 and 10, leading from conductor 7 to earth and from conductor 8 to the battery b,respectively,form in effect, a bridge of the plug circuit, including the battery I), together with a winding of the impedance-coil Z at each side of the battery in the usual way. The magnets'of relays m and m are interposed in conductor 8, one at each side of the before-mentioned bridge, the magnets being shunted'by non-inductive resistances to furnish paths devoid of impedance for the telephonic currents. The usual calling-key n is interposed in the plug-circuit forconnecting the plug 11' withthe' terminals ofa generator of signaling current, (not show'n,) and an operators listening-key olis provided for connecting the operators telephone in a bridge of the plug-circuit. The function of relays m and m is to control supervisory signals 12 and p, associated with plugs i and '5, res'pec tively. Such control is accomplished through the agency of a system of circuits involving also the connection-counters, which will now be described.

A connection counting or registering device q is associated with each line. This comprises a magnet q, having two windings (1 and (1 a lever q, controlled by the magnet, a suitwhen the armature is attracted to the magnet.

The winding (1 is included in a wire 11,-leadin g from the terminal of battery 9 to thimble f of the answeringq'ack. It should have a resistance equal to or somewhat less than that of supervisory lamp-signal p. The winding (1 is included in a wire 12, connected with wire 3 in the switchboard and terminating in the contact-anvil q, while the contact which may be in electrical connection with the lever q, is grounded. 5

The sleeve 70 of the answer-in g-pl u g i, which is designed to be. used always in connection with the answering-jack e forms the terminal of a wire 13, connected with one of the contact-points of relay m". The other contactpoint of relay m forms the terminal of awire 1a, which joins a wire 15 leading from the local battery g and terminating in the sleeve k of the connecting-plugii, the junction being made at a point; intermediate of the su- \pervisory"lamp, p, included in wire 15,;and

the contact-piece of the plug.

rate local circuit 16 17, which includes a re- 3 The supervisory lamp )9 is located in asepasistance-coil r and the supervisory signal 1;

and which is controlled by a plug-seat switch 8 plug-seat switch s is permitted to close the emcee p a for plug/i, which closesthe local circnitwhen, the plug is removed. from its socket. The vrelay m-when excited closes a shunt or short circuit about the lamp 1) to extinguish it.

The process of establishing connection between lines and of registering the-connection in the response of thecalled subscriber may nowbe traced. A subscriber, as at station A,desirin g to secure connection with another line removes his telephone from its switch,

whereby the latter is permitted to close the line-circuit and furnish a path for current from battery I) through the line-relay d. This relay being thus excited closes its switch-com tacts, completing thelocal cireuit,5v 6 of bat tery g, and brings about'the illumination'of signal-lamp'ln- The operator in attendance upon that line answeringthdcall' inserts plug z into the spring-jack and brings her listening'keyo-into position to connect her telephone with the plug-circuit 7 8. These actson the part of the operator bring'about the following arrangement of circuits The plug-circuit 7 8, and, consequently, the telephone are brought. into connection with line conductors land 2. I The contact-pieces f f in the answering-jack 'areclosed together, whereby a circuit is completed, including wire 4 and a portion of wire 3, through the cut-off relay '0, which being excited separates its switch-contacts and breaks the connection of' line conductors 1 and 2 with ea-rth and with relay, d, respectively, whereupon the latter appliance permits its switch-contacts toiuterrupt the current through si gn al-lam p h. .The

local. circuit 16 17 through the supervisory lamp p; but since thebattery b instantly creates a current through'the bridge 0 10, the

plug-circuit 7 8, and the subscribers line 1 2, in which the supervisory relay m is included,

' the switch-contactsot this relay areclosedtogether and complete the-short circuit of I lamp 1). Thesleeve lc 'of the plug is brought into contact] with the thimble f of the answering spring-jack.

The operator having learned the order may test the line called for in any suitable way.

No special test system has been represented in connection with this multiple switchboard,

inasmuch as numerous test .systems easily applicable to. switchboards of this type are well known.

I Having ascertained the line called for to be free for use, the operator inserts plug i" into a line spring-jack e' ofthe line and operates the calling-key n to ring the bell at the station A.' The insertion of this plug in the spring-jack causes a rear rangement of the circuits of the called line in a manner'somewhat similar to that just traced for the calling line. The conductor 15 becomes connected with the thimble f of spring-jack e and with wire 3, whereby a current is permitted to flow, which illuminates the supervisory lampp' and excites the cut-off relay 0 of the called line, causing the lattcrappliance to break the normal'line connections with earth and with the relay (1. When the-subscriber at station A, responding to a call, removes his telephone from its switch, this act permits .current to flow from battery I) through the wires 9 and 10,

plug-circuit 7 8, and line conductors 1 and 2 to station A, whereby the relay m is excited and caused to attract its armature. The movement of its armature connects wires 13 and 14, completing a parallel or shunt circuit about the supervisory lamp 1), made-up of wire 11, contact-pieces f k, and wires 13 and 14. Since this circuit has a resistance low compared to that of lamp p, the current through this lamp becomes insufficient to light it, while at the same time the current v diverted through the winding g of the counting mechanism excites the magnet thereof and causes the actuation of the registeringtrain. The movement of lever 1 to operate this train brings contact-pieces q q into connection, and thus closes a ground branch from wire 3 through-wire 12, including the wind ing q of thecounter-controlling magnet. After the completion of. this circuit the excitement of' the magnet .is obviously independent of the circuit through'wires '11, 13,

14, and 15',=being dependent only on the continuance of current through wires 3 and 4,:

which exists as long as-the answering-plug t" remains iu'the'ans-wering-spring-jack at, I

The replacement of the receiving-telephone on its switch at either snbscribers station willbe indicated bytheillumination of the cor.

responding supervisorysignal :12 or p, the lighting of the former being brought about through the'opening of the, shunt about it by relay m "and that ,ofthe "latter being brought about by the breaking of thegshunt 111314, closed about it by the relaym; The replacement of both. telephoneson their switches causes the illumination of both lamps p and p, whieh mayvbe accepted as a signal for disconnection and ,may be followed by the removal of the plugs iandii";from the spring-jacks of the lines. The removal of plug 2' breaks the circuitg1-5 3 and brings about the extinction of supervisory lamp and deprives the cut-off relay 0 of the called line of current, permitting that appliance to reestablish the normal line connections of the line. i The removal of plug 2' from springjack 6 breaks the circuit 4 3 and the circuit 4 3 12, permitting the cut-off relay 0 to plugi into answering-jack c of the line. The

insertion'of plug i into alinc-jaok of the line leaves the counting mechanism of that-lino devoid of circuit connections by which it may 4. erasesv be brought into operation. Hence the registering mechanism of the call-originating line only becomes operative during a. connection, and the actuation of that mechanism is determined in the response of the called subscriber to the call-signal through the agency of the relay m, controlling the supervisory lamp-signal associated with'the line.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination with a telephone-line and a connection-counter associated therewith, of a line-jack and an answering-jack connected with the line, a connecting-plug for use with the spring-jacks, and circuit connections of the said connection-counter with the answering-jack only adapted to coiiperate with circuits terminating in the said .plug to render the connection-counter operative, as described. I

2. The combination with a telephone-line and a connection-counter associated there.- with, of a line-jack and an answering jack connected with the line, circuit connections of the counter with the answering-jack, an an swering-plug and a connecting-plug with their plug-circuit for uniting an answering-jack of one line with a line-jack of another line, and circuit connections with the answering-plug adapted to cooperate with the local-circuit connections terminatingdn the answeringjack to render the counter operative, as described.

3. The combination with a telephone-line, a connection-counter associated. therewith, a line-jack and an answering-jack connected with the line, an answering-plug and a conmeeting-plug add their plug-circuit for uniting the answering-jack of one line with the line-jack of another, circuit connections of the said counter closed in registering contactpieces of the answering-jack and answeringplug, and a relay in the plug-circuit responsive'to current in the called'line controlling the said circuit connections to determine the operation of the counter, as described.

4. The combination with two telephonelines and conductors uniting them, of a connection-counter associated with one of the lines and a relay responsive to current in the other line, a local circuit divided at one point into parallel branches, a supervisory signal in one of the bran ches and a controlling-magnet of the said counter in the other branch, whereby the supervisory signal isshunted and the connection-con nter is actuated when the relay responds to current in the line, as described.

5. The combination with telephone-lines, spring-jacks therefor and plugs and a plugcircuit unitingthe spring-jacks,-of .a connection-counter associated with one of the lines having a.controlling-magnet, a relay associated with the other line and responsive to current therein determined in the use of the line, a local circuit including a winding of the counter-controlling magnet closed in reg istoring contacts of the plug and spring-jack of the line having the counter, said local circuit being controlled by the said relay, a secondlocal circuit including also a winding of the said counter-controllin g magnet, said second local circuit being controlled by'a magnet in said. first-mentioned-local circuit to maintain the continued excitement of the counter-controlling magnet after the closure of said first-mentioned circuit, as described.

6. The combination with a telephone-line and a spring-jack therefor, of a connectioncounter having a controlling-magnet with two windings associated with the line, a plug and plug-circuit for making connection with the line, a. local circuitincluding one winding of the said magnet closedin registering contactpiecesof the plug and spring-jack, and a switch also controlling the said local circuit,

a second local circuit including another winding of the magnet, also completed in contactpieces closed in the insertion of the pluginto the spring-jack, said second local circuit being controlled by switch-contacts closed together in the movement of the armature of said magnet when attracted, substantially as described.

7. ,The combination with a telephone-line having means for determiningcurrent in the line during the use of the telephone, a signalcontrolling magnet in the line responsive to such current, and a cut-olf relay adapted to break the normal connections of the line with the said signal-controlling magnet, of line spring-jacks and an answering-jack connected with the line, a pair of plugs and their plugcircuit, a connection-counter associated with the line, a local circuit including the magnet;

of the cut-olf relay terminating in normally open contact-pieces in the line-jacks, and in registering contacts therefor of one of the plugs, and also in switch-contacts associated withtheanswering-jack and-adapted to be closed together in the insertion of a plug there in, a local circuit including the controlling-- magnet of the connection-counter terminating in a normally open contact-piece of the answering-jack and in a contact-piece of the answering-plug for registering therewith, and a switch associated with the plugs controlling the latter local circuit, substantially as described.

8. In combination two telephone-lines each provided with means at its station for determining the fiow of current in the line during the use of the telephone, a signal-controlling device for each line responsive to such'current, a cut-01f relay for each line adapted to break the normal line connections with said instrument, line spring-jacks and an answering-jack for each line, a local circuit including the cut-off relay for each line, said local circuit being controlled by switch-contacts closed together at any spring-jack when a plug is inserted therein, a connection-counter associated with each line, a local circuit including the said counter, and registering contact-pieces of the answering-jack and answering-plug adapted to complete said circuit at one point, a relay and circuit connections therefor to make the relay responsive to current in the line inwhose line-jack the 5 connecting-plug is inserted, the local circuit of said connection-counter being controlled by said relay, substantially as described.

9. In combination two telephone-lines,each provided at its station with a device determining the flow of current in the line during the use of the telephone, asignal-controlling device for each line responsive to current in the line and a cut-01f relay for each line adapted to sever the normal-line connection 15 with saidsignakcontrollingdev1ce,linespring jacks and an answering-jack for each line, an answering-plug in the. answeringfiack of one Lin of the other line, and a plug-circuit uniting the plugs, a local circuit including the cutoff relay of one line closed in switch-contacts of the answering-jack through theagency of the plug therein of the same line, a connec-' tion-counter associated with the same line, a

a5 local circuit including the cutoff relay of the closed in registering e, a connecting-plug in the line-jack.

other linettogether with a source of current contact pieces of the connecting-plug and the line-jack, said local circuit being divided at one point into two parallel branches, a snpervisorylamp-signal 3o included-in one of said branches, a winding of the controlling-magnet of said connectioncounter included in the otherof said branches, together with registering contact-pieces of the answering-plug and answering-jack completing the said branch at one point, a relay connected with the plug-circuit and responsi've'to current in the called line, said lastmentioned. branch-of the local circuit being completed by said rela'y'when excited, and means for maintaining'thecontinned, excit-ement of the controlling-magnet of said counter during connection, as described.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 25th day of January; A. D. 5 1897.

CHARLES E. SCRIB NER. Witnesses:

ELLA EDLER, MYSTA F. GREEN. 

